An Empirical Analysis Of Female Leadership In The Arab World

The objective of the study is to explore and assess the rise of female leaders in the Arab World and their\ strategies for success. Several scholars in the area of leadership have projected the beginning of a new leadership paradigm with increasing numbers of female leaders. The premise is that female leaders are more in tune with the transformational leadership paradigm. In addition, they have the most effective dimensions of the transactional style. The study sample included 101 female leaders from Kuwait, Egypt and Tunisia. Data were collected using a questionnaire and interviews. The study results suggest a paradigm shift in the Arab World is occurring. Furthermore the results are consistent with the current literature regarding female leaders as very competent. Specifically female leaders were perceived as superior as male leaders with respect to the following characteristics: cooperation, aggressiveness, competitiveness and concern about interpersonal relationships. Some differences were found between Arab countries. Conceptual implications relate to leadership paradigm and empirical implications are relate to training and development programs, organizational practices and organization culture.